3 billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

By V. Mahfuz 

Title: 3 billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Director: Martin McDonagh
Release date: February 15, 2018
Main cast: Frances McDormand, Peter Dinklage, Woody Harrelson, Caleb Jones, Lucas Hedges, Sam Rockwell
Budget: US$ 12 million
Box office: US$ 112,5 million
Rotten tomatoes rating: 93%
 
The dramatic piece of “3 billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri” not only involves an innovative plot, but it also shows how meticulously each actor was picked out for each of its characters. Such story line revolves around a Mildred, a grieving mother (represented by Frances McDormand) who’s daughter’s murder wasn’t only unsolved, but barely inspected by the town’s local police force. Furious, Mildred decides to put up “3 billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri” with details about her daughter’s rape and murder, also asking what the police department was actually doing about it. Her scandalous actions land her on a delicate position with the police and citizens, provoking an intricate chain of events.
 
Mildred’s humor and witty aura manages to introduce a theme of comedy, further enriching the movie whilst also easing the heavy tension depicted. With over 50 award nominations, such renowned movie is barely a month old – evidently surpassing its expectations. Frances McDormand, for example, holds nominations to 8 prizes; including the Oscar for ‘best female artist’.
 
Brought by Martin McDonagh, who is also competing for the critics’ choice award of best director, such movie’s storyline slowly unveils as Mildred’s actions bring not only unexpected consequences, but also how it further complicates her situation with the town’s people and even with her own family.
 
However, Martin McDonagh didn’t come up with such storyline by himself. Based on real events, “3 billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri” was derived from the unsolved death of teenager who was found dead inside her car after an accident. Even though the police closed her case after concluding her death was due to the car accident, an autopsy revealed she was actually strangled, provoking murder claims from the teenager’s family and the rental of billboards in Vidor, Texas in an attempt to seek justice.